The People Behind the Paddles

Our Team

Small but mighty — a dedicated crew of educators, outdoorspeople, and community builders united by a belief that every Akron kid deserves the water.

Staff

Meet the Voyagers Team

Our small, passionate staff brings together expertise in outdoor education, environmental science, and community organizing — all rooted in deep love for Summit Lake and Akron's youth.

Joseph Heindel

Executive Director & Founder

An Akron native and lifelong outdoorsman, Joseph founded Summit Lake Youth Voyagers in 2019 after years of watching the lake go unused by the city's youth. He holds certifications in ACA kayak instruction and wilderness first aid. Before SLYV, he spent a decade leading youth programs for the Summit County Metro Parks. Joseph believes that access to nature is a social justice issue — and he's built an organization around that conviction.

info@summitlakevoyagers.us

Maya Robinson

Program Director

Maya oversees the design and delivery of all four SLYV programs, from the Voyager Paddling Academy to Community Flotillas. She brings seven years of experience in youth development nonprofits and a background in outdoor recreation management. A competitive canoeist in college, Maya is as comfortable in the water as she is building curricula. She is passionate about trauma-informed approaches to outdoor education and creating programs that truly meet youth where they are.

info@summitlakevoyagers.us

Darnell Okafor

Environmental Educator

Darnell leads the Lake Stewards Program, bringing genuine scientific rigor to what could easily be "just a cleanup day." He holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Akron and spent three years with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park's education team before joining SLYV. Darnell makes water quality data exciting — a rare gift. He believes young people become stewards of places they know deeply, and he makes sure they know Summit Lake deeply.

info@summitlakevoyagers.us

Priya Nair

Community Outreach Coordinator

Priya is the reason Akron families know Summit Lake Youth Voyagers exists. As our Community Outreach Coordinator, she manages school and neighborhood partnerships, coordinates Community Flotilla events, and ensures our programs reach the families who need them most. Priya grew up in Akron and is deeply embedded in community networks across the city. She also coordinates our scholarship program, quietly making sure financial barriers never keep a young person off the water.

info@summitlakevoyagers.us

Join the Crew

Volunteer with Summit Lake Youth Voyagers

Our small staff team is supported by a network of dedicated volunteers who show up every week to help kids onto kayaks, clean shorelines, and build something special together. We'd love to have you.

Whether you have an hour or a whole season to give, there's a role for you at SLYV.

Get in Touch →

Paddle Assist Volunteer

Help youth get in, stay safe, and develop confidence on the water during program sessions.

Program Support Volunteer

Assist with registration, equipment setup, and logistics at programs and community events.

Stewardship Volunteer

Join Lake Stewards shoreline cleanup and habitat restoration events — no science background required.

Have Questions for Our Team?

We're a friendly bunch. Reach out anytime — we respond to every message.